"We're trying to call attention to the fact that there are still a lot of child labor violations out there," Labor Department spokeswoman Kate Dugan said.

The Labor Department says:

*Grand Central allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work hours forbidden for their ages. The waste-hauling and landfill company also broke the law by allowing a 17-year-old to ride on the outside of a motor vehicle.

*Keppel's allowed a 15-year-old to work hours forbidden for his age. The company also broke the law by allowing four 16-year-olds to use a baler to dispose of cardboard boxes.

*Radcliffe's allowed two 17-year-olds and three 16-year-olds to use a baler, and three 15-year-olds to work forbidden hours.

*Blue Valley allowed a 16-year-old to use a motor vehicle to make deliveries.

Federal law says 14- and 15-year-olds may not be employed during school hours, may work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. only during the summer and may not work more than three hours a day or 18 hours a week during school weeks.

DiNardo said he was unaware a 16-year-old was forbidden to use a motor vehicle to deliver merchandise.

Ignatius Keppel, a co-owner of Keppel's, said the minors were told not to use the baler.

"If they did, we didn't know about it," he said.

He also said time cards did not indicate the youths worked improper hours.

Harry Smith, Grand Central's director of administration, said the work-hour violations involved teens punching in too early, about 6:30 a.m. He said he was not aware of a violation involving hazardous conditions.

The Labor Department accepted a $3,000 payment from Radcliffe for it to settle its case without litigation, co-owner Michael Radcliffe said. He said he wasn't aware he was violating the federal laws and the store regularly passes inspections by state Labor Department officials.

"I assumed if I was in compliance with the state, I was fine," he said.